Curriculum Information for School Governors
Curriculum information
The National Curriculum is a framework used to ensure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based; promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils; and prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. Age Stage Year Assessment Compulsory National Additional curriculum notes Curriculum subjects Birth Early Pre- Practitioners 6 learning areas: to 5 Years school/ assessment • Personal, social & emotional development Found- Nursery • Communication, language & literacy ation • Problem solving, numeracy & reasoning Reception Stage EYFS Profile • Knowledge & understanding of world Assessment at the • Physical development (age 4-5) end of Reception • Creative development 5–6 Key Year 1 n/a For KS 1 & 2: Schools also have to teach religious Stage 1 • English education, though parents can 6–7 Key Year 2 Teacher • Maths withdraw children for all or part of Stage 1 assessments in • Science the RE curriculum. English & Maths • Design & 7–8 Key Year 3 n/a technology Schools are also advised to teach: Stage 2 • Personal, social and health • ICT 8–9 Key Year 4 n/a education (PSHE) Stage 2 • History • Citizenship 9–10 Key Year 5 n/a • Geography • At least one modern foreign Stage 2 • Art and Design language 10-11 Key Year 6 National tests and • Music Stage 2 teacher assessment • Physical Education in English & Maths 11–12 Key Year 7 Ongoing teacher • English At both Key Stages 3 & 4 schools Stage 3 assessments • Maths also have to provide: 12–13 Key Year 8 Ongoing teacher • Science • Careers education and guidance Stage 3 assessments • Design & technology (during year 9) 13–14 Key Year 9 Teacher • ICT • Sex and relationship education (SRE) Stage 3 assessments in • History • Religious Education (RE) English, Maths, • Geography Science and • Modern foreign Parents can withdraw their child foundation languages from all or part of RE and the non- subjects. • Art and design statutory elements of SRE. • Music • Citizenship During Year 9 children typically • Physical education choose which subjects they will 14–15 Key Year 10 study at Key Stage 4. Some children take • English Stage 4 GCSEs • Maths At Key Stage 4 pupils also have to 15–16 Key Year 11 Most children take • Science experience: Stage 4 GCSEs or other • ICT • Work related learning national • Physical Education qualifications • Citizenship
For each NC subject, there is a programme of study. The programmes of study describe the subject knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils are expected to develop during each KS. The programmes of study also map out a scale of attainment within the subject. These attainment targets are split into average levels.
Children develop at different rates, but National Curriculum levels can give you an idea of how a child’s progress compares to what is typical for their age. The teacher will carry out regular checks on children’s progress in each subject as a normal part of their teaching. The average National Curriculum levels for Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 are below:
Stage Age Year Levels For further information: Foundation 0 – 5 To end of reception n/a Qualifications & Curriculum Development Agency Key Stage 1 5 – 7 Years 1 and 2 Levels 1 to 2+ http://www.qcda.gov.uk/ Department for Education (DfE) Key Stage 2 7 – 11 Years 3 to 6 Levels 3 to 4+ http://www.education.gov.uk/ Key Stage 3 11 – 14 Years 7 to 9 Levels 5+ Bristol City Council Teaching and Learning http://www.bristol-cyps.org.uk/teaching/teaching.html